Read Online PETALS AND THORNS by JENNIFER PARIS - Free Book Online Page B

the tips of her fingers, then down her hips and thighs to her toes. She melted under his clever fingers, listening to him tell her about the book he'd been reading.
    He didn't quite agree with the author's perspective, thought it conflicted with several other lines of thought from other books on the topic. If Amarantha wanted to read them, he'd be interested in whether she agreed.
    She murmured a sleepy protest when he turned her over but settled in again as the Beast worked the hot oil into her breasts, belly, and thighs with the same meticulous care. Elastic and relaxed, she watched him with half-closed eyes.
    “The scratches are healing,” he commented, rubbing more oil into the creamy skin of her breasts.
    “Do you miss them?”
    She caught a flash of a wicked grin under the cowl. “A bit, perhaps. But it's hard to mind with you here, with your satin skin filling my hands. And it will be a memory for later.” Amarantha wondered at the sadness in his voice.
    “Come, then.” The Beast slid a strong arm around her shoulders and helped her to sit up. He held her short robe for her so she could slide her arms in. Night had fallen to full dark. “I shall dine, and then you can meet me in the dining room in a little while. I think we won't dress you for dinner tonight. Your little robe is fine. Given the exertions of the last nights, we will keep tonight gentle and only for your pleasure.”
    “Only mine? None for you?”
    “I should rephrase—only pleasure for you, no pain. None of the sharper spices.”
    It made her think, though. For all that the last three days had been full of stimulation of every kind for her, he had never asked her to touch him. She faltered at suggesting it, however. And she felt uncomfortably like a coward.

    54

    Amarantha turned and placed her hand on the Beast's sleeve, feeling the strong arm beneath.
    “Can we not truly dine together?”
    The Beast hesitated.
    “Remove your cloak and cowl. Keep the mask if you like, but I… This is our third night together out of seven. Isn't it time I saw who you truly are?”
    With a rough sound, the Beast tore his cloak off and threw it to the floor.
    “You wish to see who I truly am? This is me, Amarantha. Half-man, half-beast—all monster.” The bitterness rolled through his voice.
    He wore a black mask, yes, but Amarantha could still see that golden fur covered parts of his face and blended into his hair. A darker gold, the Beast's hair formed a ruff around his head and trailed down his back, which seemed oddly hunched. His mouth was distorted by a heavy-furred upper lip and fangs too large to fit neatly inside. The Beast's eyes flashed feline green through the eye slits.
    “You ask about my pleasure? I enjoy your pain, your struggles. I take pleasure in displaying you, in watching you suffer just for me. If I could, I would keep you forever just to make you tremble and cry out. Don't ever forget what kind of beast I am.”
    A coil of arousal slid through Amarantha's belly to lick fire in her groin at his words.
    “I don't forget,” she whispered. “Remember, I'm the one wearing the marks of your whip.”
    The Beast stared at her, the glint of his eyes a bit wild. Amarantha laid the palms of her hands on his heaving chest. All man there. She tipped back her head to look up at him. So softly that she could barely hear herself, she whispered, “And I liked it.”

    55

    “Now,”—Amarantha stepped back, placing deliberate distance between them—
    “am I too mussed, or can we go straight to dine?” Her stomach gurgled, and she laughed, patting her belly. “I confess I'm hungry.”
    The Beast, seemingly bemused, offered her his arm again and escorted her to the dining room. Her chair sported a fluffy cushion tonight, in deference to her sore bottom. Amarantha still tucked one leg under her, to keep her weight from pressing on the bruises.
    After the delicious massage, though, she felt relaxed and glowing. The minor twinges reminded her